Dr. Barlay with Something to Think About - EVE

EVE

There are many aspects of Scripture which are lost to us because of the way we are expected to read the Bible. In many cases these aspects are subtle and the full meaning not evident. Such is the case with Eve.

We often speak of Adam and Eve as if the two were as one, and in many ways that is true; but in the beginning man’s companion was just called “the woman,” or in Hebrew “ha-ishah.” She was not called Eve until sometime later. 

That time came just after the fall and God placed a curse on man for violating His command. He said to her:

I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;

In pain you shall bring forth children… 

(Genesis 3:16)

Just after this… 

…Adam called his wife’s name Eve…

(Genesis 3:20)

Up to this time in the Bible there is no indication that anything that was in existence had not been created by God but now woman had been given the role of procreation. Thus, Adam renamed his wife Eve, which means “Life-Giver,” for she was to be the giver of life to all humanity. No where up to this point in time had man been told to have children. They had been put…

…in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 

(Genesis 2:16)

It was initially through Eve that they were to be… 

…fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it 

[and] have dominion over…every living thing that moves on the earth. 

(Genesis 1:28)

The timing and naming of Eve; another small but significant detail in the Bible.

And another little thing to think about.